Rearview mirror assembly for vehicle

ABSTRACT

A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror casing and a mirror reflective element disposed at the mirror casing. The mirror reflective element includes at least a first glass substrate having a front surface and a rear surface. When the rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted in a vehicle, the front surface is closer than the rear surface to a driver that is normally operating the vehicle. The first glass substrate has a flat central region and a rounded perimeter edge, and the rounded perimeter is exposed to and is viewable by the driver of the vehicle. With the mirror reflective element disposed at the mirror casing, no portion of the mirror casing encompasses the rounded perimeter edge. The rounded perimeter edge has a glare-reducing surface finish.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/257,353, filed Apr. 21, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,174,578,which claims the filing benefits of U.S. provisional applications, Ser.No. 61/950,259, filed Mar. 10, 2014; Ser. No. 61/875,350, filed Sep. 9,2013; Ser. No. 61/838,623, filed Jun. 24, 2013; Ser. No. 61/823,647,filed May 15, 2013; and Ser. No. 61/814,535, filed Apr. 22, 2013, whichare hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of interiorrearview mirror assemblies for vehicles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known to provide a variable reflectance mirror reflective elementfor an interior or exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle. Themirror reflective element is electrically powered via electrical leadsthat are soldered or clipped at an electrical conductor at the mirrorreflective element, such as via clipping onto respective edge regions ofthe front and rear substrates to electrically contact the conductivecoating or coatings at the rear of the front substrate and at the frontand/or rear of the rear substrate. The mirror reflective element isadjustably mounted to an interior portion of a vehicle, such as via adouble ball pivot or joint mounting configuration where the mirrorcasing and reflective element are adjusted relative to the interiorportion of a vehicle by pivotal movement about the double ball pivotconfiguration. The mirror casing and reflective element are pivotableabout either or both of the ball pivot joints by a user that isadjusting a rearward field of view of the reflective element.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an interior rearview mirror assembly thathas a variable reflectance electro-optic mirror reflective element withenhanced or improved electrical connectors established at the rear ofthe reflective element and in electrical connection with the conductivecoating or coatings at the rear of the front substrate and at the frontand/or rear of the rear substrate. The mirror reflective element may bedisposed at a mirror casing that may house one or more electronicaccessories. A circuit element or board and accessories and/or circuitrydisposed thereon may be angled within the mirror casing and not parallelto the rear of the reflective element to provide enhanced clearance forthe electrical content within the mirror casing.

These and other objects, advantages, purposes and features of thepresent invention will become apparent upon review of the followingspecification in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an interior rearview mirror assembly inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 1A is a sectional view of the mirror reflective element of themirror assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a rear portion of a mirror reflectiveelement with an electrical connector established thereat forelectrically connecting a wire or lead to an electrically conductivecoating or layer at a surface of the mirror reflective element;

FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the rear portion of the mirrorreflective element of FIG. 2, with a backplate attached thereat and witha tab of the electrical connector protruding through an aperture formedat the backplate;

FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the rear portion of the mirrorreflective element of FIG. 3, with a wire or lead for connecting to thetab of the electrical connector protruding through an aperture formed atthe backplate;

FIGS. 5-8 are perspective views of electrical leads and wires andconnectors of a mirror wiring harness that may be received in the mirrorhead via a mounting structure of the mirror assembly;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another electrical connector configuredto attach at a rear surface of a mirror reflective element and have awire or lead soldered thereto, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the electrical connector of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a side elevation of the electrical connector of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another electrical connector configuredto attach at a rear surface of a mirror reflective element and have awire or lead soldered thereto, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a plan view of the electrical connector of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a side elevation of the electrical connector of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of another electrical connector configuredto attach at a rear surface of a mirror reflective element and have awire or lead soldered thereto, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a perspective and partial cutaway view of an interiorrearview mirror assembly of the present invention, with an angledcircuit element disposed therein to provide a larger circuit element ina lower profile mirror head;

FIGS. 17-19 are other views of the mirror assembly of FIG. 16;

FIG. 20 is a sectional view of a frameless mirror assembly with a mirrorreflective element having a glass substrate with a rounded perimeteredge;

FIG. 21 is a sectional view of a frameless mirror assembly with a mirrorreflective element having a reduced thickness glass substrate andpartially rounded housing in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of another frameless mirror assembly ofthe present invention;

FIGS. 23A and 23B are plan views of the frameless mirror assembly ofFIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a sectional view of a portion of the frameless mirrorassembly of FIGS. 22 and 23;

FIG. 25 is a sectional view of a portion of another frameless mirrorassembly of the present invention, showing another attachment plate ofthe present invention;

FIG. 26 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of FIG. 25;

FIGS. 27 and 28 are plan views of the mirror attachment plate of thepresent invention;

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of another mirror assembly of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 30A and 30B are plan views of the mirror assembly of FIG. 29;

FIG. 31 is a sectional view of a portion of the mirror assembly of FIGS.29, 30A and 30B;

FIG. 32 is a sectional view of a portion of another mirror assembly ofthe present invention;

FIG. 33 is an electron microscope image of a frosted edge of a glasssubstrate;

FIG. 34 is an electron microscope image of a polished edge of a glasssubstrate; and

FIGS. 35-37 are views of portions of a frameless mirror assembly withcontaminants on a portion of the frosted rounded perimeter edge region,showing different degrees of cleaning of the mirror reflective element.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings and the illustrative embodiments depictedtherein, an interior rearview mirror assembly 10 for a vehicle includesa casing 12 and a reflective element 14 positioned at a front portion ofthe casing 12 (FIG. 1). In the illustrated embodiment, mirror assembly10 is configured to be adjustably mounted to an interior portion of avehicle (such as to an interior or in-cabin surface of a vehiclewindshield or a headliner of a vehicle or the like) via a mountingstructure or mounting configuration or assembly 16. The mirrorreflective element comprises a variable reflectance mirror reflectiveelement that varies its reflectance responsive to electrical currentapplied to conductive coatings or layers of the reflective element. Theelectrical current is applied via electrical connectors disposed at therear of the mirror reflective element, as discussed below.

In the illustrated embodiment, and as shown in FIG. 1A, the mirrorreflective element 14 comprises a laminate construction variablereflectance electro-optic (such as electrochromic) reflective elementassembly having a front substrate 18 and a rear substrate 20 with anelectro-optic medium 22 (such as electrochromic medium) sandwichedtherebetween and bounded by a perimeter seal 24. As shown in FIG. 1A,front substrate 18 has a front or first surface 18 a (the surface thatgenerally faces the driver of a vehicle when the mirror assembly isnormally mounted at the vehicle) and a rear or second surface 18 bopposite the front surface 18 a, and rear substrate 20 has a front orthird surface 20 a and a rear or fourth surface 20 b opposite the frontsurface 20 a, with the electro-optic medium 22 disposed between thesecond surface 18 b and the third surface 20 a and bounded by theperimeter seal 24 of the reflective element (such as is known in theelectrochromic mirror art). The second surface 18 a has a transparentconductive coating 26 established thereat (such as an indium tin oxide(ITO) layer, or a doped tin oxide layer or any other transparentelectrically semi-conductive layer or coating or the like (such asindium cerium oxide (ICO), indium tungsten oxide (IWO), or indium oxide(IO) layers or the like or a zinc oxide layer or coating, or a zincoxide coating or the like doped with aluminum or other metallicmaterials, such as silver or gold or the like, or other oxides dopedwith a suitable metallic material or the like, or such as disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 7,274,501, which is hereby incorporated herein byreference in its entirety), while the third surface 20 a has a metallicreflector coating 28 (or multiple layers or coatings) establishedthereat. The front or third surface 20 a of rear substrate 20 mayinclude one or more transparent semi-conductive layers (such as an ITOlayer or the like), and one or more metallic electrically conductivelayers (such as a layer of silver, aluminum, chromium or the like or analloy thereof), and may include multiple layers such as disclosed inU.S. Pat. Nos. 7,274,501; 7,184,190 and/or 7,255,451, which are herebyincorporated herein by reference in their entireties. The mirrorreflector may comprise any suitable coatings or layers, such as atransflective coating or layer, such as described in U.S. Pat. Nos.7,626,749; 7,274,501; 7,255,451; 7,195,381; 7,184,190; 6,690,268;5,140,455; 5,151,816; 6,178,034; 6,154,306; 6,002,511; 5,567,360;5,525,264; 5,610,756; 5,406,414; 5,253,109; 5,076,673; 5,073,012;5,115,346; 5,724,187; 5,668,663; 5,910,854; 5,142,407 and/or 4,712,879,which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties,disposed at the front surface of the rear substrate (commonly referredto as the third surface of the reflective element) and opposing theelectro-optic medium, such as an electrochromic medium disposed betweenthe front and rear substrates and bounded by the perimeter seal (butoptionally, the mirror reflector could be disposed at the rear surfaceof the rear substrate (commonly referred to as the fourth surface of thereflective element), while remaining within the spirit and scope of thepresent invention).

The third surface 20 a defines the active EC area or surface of the rearsubstrate within the perimeter seal 24. The coated third surface 20 amay also be coated to define a tab-out region (such as by utilizingaspects of the mirror assemblies described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,274,501;7,184,190 and/or 7,255,451, which are hereby incorporated herein byreference in their entireties) for providing electrical connection ofthe conductive layers to an electrical clip of connector or bus-bar,such as the types described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,066,112 and/or6,449,082, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties.

As shown in FIGS. 2-4, the mirror reflective element 10 includes a pairof electrical connectors 30 disposed at the rear surface 20 b of therear substrate 20 and having a tab or connector portion 30 a protrudingrearward therefrom. Although only one connector 30 is shown in FIGS.2-4, the reflective element would have two connectors, one connectorthat is in electrical connection with the transparent conductive layeror coating at the second surface or rear surface of the front substrateand another connector that is in electrical connection with theconductive layer or coating at the third surface or front surface of therear substrate. The connectors 30 may be adhered or otherwise attachedat the rear surface of the reflective element (such as via a conductiveor non-conductive epoxy or the like), with tabs 30 b that wrap around anedge portion of the rear substrate to electrically connect with a busbaror connecting portion or tab of the respective conductive coating orlayer at the front or rear substrate. As best shown in FIG. 4, anelectrical lead or wire 32 may electrically connect to the connectorportion 30 a of the connector to electrically connect a wire harness 34to the electrically conductive coatings or layers of the mirrorreflective element. The leads 32 may receive the connector portion in arespective connector and may crimp or tightly receive and contact theconnector portion to establish electrical connection to the connectors30. As shown in FIGS. 5-8, the leads 32 may be part of a wire harness 34that includes electrical wires for connecting to circuitry of a circuitboard of the mirror assembly and that may be routed through the mountingassembly or structure 16 of the mirror assembly 10.

Thus, a male spade-type post is mechanically attached at the glasssurface and electrically connected to the respective electricallyconductive coating or layer at a glass surface of the reflectiveelement. A female terminal is crimped to the mirror harness wires orleads and is configured to receive the post therein to connect the wireor lead to the connector. The control voltage (+ and −) for controllingor powering the electro-optic mirror reflective element or cell isrouted from the printed circuit board (PCB) connector and through thewire harness. The electrical connections may utilize aspects of themirror assemblies described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,066,112; 5,668,663;5,724,187; 6,002,511 and/or 8,503,061, which are hereby incorporatedherein by reference in their entireties.

Although shown and described as having a connecting portion or tab forelectrically connecting to the wire or lead, the electrical connectormay have an end of the wire or lead soldered or spot welded orresistance welded to the connector to establish the electricalconnection. For example, and with reference to FIGS. 9-11, an electricalconnector 130 may have a solder pad or attachment pad 130 a that israised from or above an attaching portion 130 b (that is attached at therear surface of the reflective element, such as via a conductive ornon-conductive epoxy or the like), so that the solder pad 130 a (wherethe wire is soldered and which is substantially heated during thesoldering process) is spaced from the rear glass surface of the rearsubstrate of the reflective element. The connector 130 includes tabs 130c that wrap around a perimeter edge region of the rear substrate toelectrically connect with a busbar or connecting portion or tab of therespective conductive coating or layer at the front or rear substrate.

To improve reliability, it may be desirable to solder or spot weld orthe like the wire or lead to the connector attached at the rear of thereflective element. However, a concern with soldering (especiallylead-free) is that it results is substantial heat at or directly on thereflective element or cell and the conductive epoxy and ultra-violet(UV) glue. The connector of the present invention addresses the heatissue by having a raised center soldering or welding pad or zone thatprovides an air gap between the connector's attachment zone or pad andthe glass surface of the rear substrate. Optionally, and as shown inFIGS. 9-11, the connector 130 includes punched holes or apertures 130 dgenerally around the attachment pad or zone 130 a to reduce the thermaltransfer from the solder zone or attachment zone to the adhesionperimeter zone or attaching portion 130 b. In the illustratedembodiment, the connector attaching portion 130 b substantially orentirely circumscribes or surrounds the wire attaching portion or zoneor pad to provide adhesion or attachment of the connector at the glasssubstrate substantially or entirely around the wire attaching zone orpad.

Thus, the connector of the present invention allows for direct solderingor spot welding of the ends of the wires or leads to the connector,while reducing the heat at the glass surface at which the connector isattached. The present invention thus provides a raised solderingplatform or pad that is removed from or away from the glass surface tominimize heating of the glass substrate during the wire attaching (suchas soldering or spot welding or the like) process. The present inventionthus minimizes thermal paths out from solder pad area to minimizeheating of the glass substrate at which the connector is adhered orbonded or otherwise attached. The connector may comprise any suitablematerial and may be formed via any suitable forming process. Forexample, the connector may comprise a stamped metallic connector or thelike.

Optionally, and with reference to FIGS. 12-14, a connector 130′ mayinclude wire holders or “goal posts” 130 e′ formed at and protrudingoutward from the attachment or soldering or welding pad or zone 130 a′and away from the mirror reflective element when the attaching portion130 b′ of the connector is attached or adhered or bonded at the rearsurface of the rear substrate of the reflective element, with the tabs130 c′ extending or wrapping over a portion of the perimeter edge of therear substrate. The wire holders are configured to hold the wire inposition during the soldering process that attaches or solders or weldsthe wire to the soldering pad. The wire holders may be sized with anappropriate width channel or receptacle to snugly or tightly receive thebare wire end therein to substantially hold the wire during thesoldering process (or the channel may be sized larger than the wiregauge to generally or loosely hold the wire therein). The wire holders130 e′ may be formed during the stamping or forming of the connector(and may comprise a portion of the metallic element that otherwise wouldbe removed to form the apertures 130 d′), and are preferably integrallyformed with the metallic stamped connector. The connector may compriseany suitable material, such as, for example, tin plated Beryllium Copperor the like. The connector 130′ may otherwise be similar to connector130, discussed above, such that a detailed discussion of the connectorsneed not be repeated herein.

Optionally, and with reference to FIG. 15, a connector 130″ may includea wire channel or recess 130 e″ formed at and across the attachment orsoldering or welding pad or zone 130 a″ and spaced from the mirrorreflective element when the attaching portion 130 b″ of the connector isattached or adhered or bonded at the rear surface of the rear substrateof the reflective element, with the tabs 130 c″ extending or wrappingover a portion of the perimeter edge of the rear substrate. The wirechannel is configured to hold the wire in position during the solderingprocess that attaches or solders or welds the wire to the soldering pad.The wire channel may be sized with an appropriate width and depth tosnugly or tightly receive the bare wire end therein (as shown in FIG.15) to substantially hold the wire during the soldering process (or thechannel may be sized larger than the wire gauge to generally or looselyhold the wire therein). The wire channel 130 e″ may be formed during thestamping or forming of the connector. The connector may comprise anysuitable material, such as, for example, tin plated Beryllium Copper orthe like. The connector 130″ may otherwise be similar to connectors 130,130′, discussed above, such that a detailed discussion of the connectorsneed not be repeated herein.

The mirror assembly may include one or more electrical accessories, suchas a video display screen and/or the like, housed within the mirrorcasing. Optionally, and as shown in FIGS. 16-19, the mirror assembly 210may include a circuit element 230, such as a printed circuit board orthe like, disposed at an angle relative to the rear surface of thereflective element. In the illustrated embodiment, the circuit elementcomprises an electronic toll collection system (ETCS) that is operableto communicate with a transceiver at a toll booth or passway to effectpayment of the appropriate toll to allow the equipped vehicle to pass orcontinue on the toll road or the like. The ETCS is sufficiently sized toallow for insertion of an identifier or identification card at the endof the mirror head. As can be seen in FIGS. 17 and 18, the angledconfiguration of the ETCS allows the ETCS to be large enough to receivethe identification card therein, while allowing for a lower profilemirror reflective element and mirror head. The present invention thusallows for tilting of the ETCS mirror and offsetting the bracket toachieve a smaller or reduced profile or lower vertical height mirrorhead size. The mounting structure of the circuit element may utilizeaspects of the mirror assemblies described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,370,983;7,329,013 and/or 6,690,268, and/or U.S. Pat. Publication No.US-2006-0050018, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference intheir entireties. Although shown and described as having an angled orcanted or tilted ETCS circuit element, clearly other accessories may beestablished at a circuit element or board or structure and mountedwithin the mirror casing in the angled or canted or tilted manner asdescribed above, while remaining within the spirit and scope of thepresent invention.

The reflective element and mirror casing of the mirror assembly of thepresent invention are adjustable relative to a base portion or mountingassembly to adjust the driver's rearward field of view when the mirrorassembly is normally mounted at or in the vehicle. The mounting assemblymay comprise a single-ball or single-pivot mounting assembly, wherebythe reflective element and casing are adjustable relative to the vehiclewindshield (or other interior portion of the vehicle) about a singlepivot joint, or the mounting assembly may comprise other types ofmounting configurations, such as a double-ball or double-pivot mountingconfiguration or the like, while remaining within the spirit and scopeof the present invention. The socket or pivot element is configured toreceive a ball member of the base portion, such as for a single pivot orsingle ball mounting structure or a double pivot or double ball mountingstructure or the like (such as a pivot mounting assembly of the typesdescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,318,870; 6,593,565; 6,690,268; 6,540,193;4,936,533; 5,820,097; 5,100,095; 7,249,860; 6,877,709; 6,329,925;7,289,037; 7,249,860 and/or 6,483,438, and/or U.S. Pat. Pub. No.US-2006-0061008, and/or PCT Application No. PCT/US2010/028130, filedMar. 22, 2010, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference intheir entireties).

The mirror assembly may comprise any suitable construction, such as, forexample, a mirror assembly with the reflective element being nested inthe mirror casing and with a bezel portion that circumscribes aperimeter region of the front surface of the reflective element, or withthe mirror casing having a curved or beveled perimeter edge around thereflective element and with no overlap onto the front surface of thereflective element (such as by utilizing aspects of the mirrorassemblies described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,255,451; 7,289,037; 7,360,932;8,049,640; 8,277,059 and/or 8,529,108, or such as a mirror assemblyhaving a rear substrate of an electro-optic or electrochromic reflectiveelement nested in the mirror casing, and with the front substrate havingcurved or beveled perimeter edges, or such as a mirror assembly having aprismatic reflective element that is disposed at an outer perimeter edgeof the mirror casing and with the prismatic substrate having curved orbeveled perimeter edges, such as described in U.S. Des. Pat. Nos.D633,423; D633,019; D638,761 and/or D647,017, and/or InternationalPublication Nos. WO 2010/124064; WO 2011/044312; WO 2012/051500; WO2013/071070 and/or WO 2013/126719, which are hereby incorporated hereinby reference in their entireties (and with electrochromic and prismaticmirrors of such construction are commercially available from theassignee of this application under the trade name INFINITY™ mirror).

For example, and with reference to FIG. 20, a mirror assembly 310 mayhave a mirror reflective element 312 that has a front glass substrate312 a that overlaps a portion of the mirror casing or housing 314, withthe front glass substrate having a curved or rounded or radiusedperimeter edge 312 b (such as by utilizing aspects of the mirrorassemblies described in International Publication Nos. WO 2010/124064;WO 2011/044312; WO 2012/051500; WO 2013/071070 and/or WO 2013/126719,which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties).In the illustrated embodiment, the glass substrate 312 a has a thicknessof about 3.2 mm and a radius of curvature of the perimeter edge 312 b ofabout 2.8 mm or thereabouts, such that the full radius (the curvedtransition from the generally planar front substrate to the generallyplanar surface of the mirror casing) is on the glass perimeter edge. Theoutermost portion of the perimeter edge of the front glass substrateextends slightly outboard of the mirror casing such that the mirrorcasing is not exposed or viewable around the glass substrate by a personviewing the mirror assembly from in front of the glass substrate.

The present invention, and such as shown in FIG. 21, provides a reducedweight frameless mirror assembly 310′ (of similar construction as shownin FIG. 20) comprising a mirror reflective element 312′ having a reducedthickness front glass substrate 312 a′ and a mirror casing or housing314′. As shown in FIG. 21, the thickness of the glass may be less thanthe radius of curvature at the perimeter edge. In the illustratedembodiment, the glass substrate may have a thickness of about 1.9 mm,with the perimeter edge having a radius of curvature of about 2.8 mm orthereabouts. Thus, the radius of curvature is greater than the thicknessof the glass substrate 312 a′, such that a portion of the curvedtransition to the generally planar wall of the mirror casing 314′ isprovided by the outer end region 314 a′ of the casing itself. Thecurvature of the outer end region 314 a′ may at least substantiallycorrespond to or match the curvature of the glass substrate to provide agenerally continuous or uniform transition between the front surface ofthe glass substrate 312 a′ to the outer surface of the mirror casing314′.

With the mirror assembly construction of FIG. 20, the thicker glasssubstrate is heavy and decreases vibration performance of the mirrorassembly. The greater thickness dimension of the outer glass substrateis required because a full radius of about 2.8 mm, along with a smallchamfer on the corner or back edge of the substrate was deemed necessaryto provide the desired rounded appearance and function. The presentinvention, and as shown in FIG. 21, uses a thinner glass substrate bypartially forming a 2.8 mm radius of curvature on the glass substrateand completing the curved transition with the mirror casing or housingor similar part. The reduced weight mirror assembly of the presentinvention may comprise a prismatic mirror reflective element (where thethinner or reduced thickness glass substrate comprises a prism-shapedglass substrate with a mirror reflector coating established thereon), ormay comprise an electro-optic mirror reflective element, such as anelectrochromic mirror reflective element (where the thinner or reducedthickness glass substrate comprises the first or front glass substrateof the reflective element, which includes a rear glass substrate and anelectro-optic medium sandwiched between the front and rear glasssubstrates), while remaining within the spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

Because such a mirror construction uses a thinner glass substrate, whichmay result in a weaker reflective element, the mirror assembly may use a“reinforcement plate” or reinforcement within the attachment plateattached at the rear of the mirror reflective element. Optionally, themirror assembly may use stronger material for the attachment plate, suchas a stronger plastic or lightweight metal or the like. Optionally, themirror assembly may use strengthened glass—such as Gorilla™ glass orTempered glass or the like for the front glass substrate.

The mirror assembly of the present invention, with the reduced thicknessfront glass substrate, may provide the ability to use a small ballbracket system for all of the mount options for the mirror assembly. Themirror assembly of the present invention may also provide enhanced orvery high vibration performance, particularly when used with larger balldiameter brackets. The mirror assembly of the present invention may alsoprovide enhanced vibration performance with plastic stays. The mirrorassembly of the present invention may also provide an overall mirrorweight reduction.

Optionally, and with reference to FIGS. 22-24, an electro-opticframeless mirror reflective element 412 may have a radiused or roundedperimeter edge 416 a around its front substrate 416 so that theperimeter edge of the front substrate is exposed to and viewable by thedriver of the vehicle (when the mirror assembly is normally mounted inthe vehicle and the driver is normally operating or driving thevehicle). As shown in FIG. 24, the housing 414 of the mirror assembly410 may overlap or encompass the perimeter edge region of the rearsubstrate 418 of the reflective element, which is attached at anattachment plate 420 via a layer of adhesive or tape 422 or the like.The reflective element may include a perimeter band (such as areflective perimeter band) 424 that is disposed about the periphery ofthe rear surface of the front substrate to hide the perimeter seal ofthe reflective element from view by a person viewing the mirror.

Optionally, and with reference to FIGS. 25-28, the attachment plate maybe used to control the mirror casing or housing to achieve a flush fitto an EC Cell or Prism. The attachment plate 420 functions as a fixturethat the mirror casing or housing 414 conforms to when the attachmentplate is received in or pressed into the mirror housing. The mirrorhousing is designed with slight interference fit or tolerance to makesure that the attachment plate defines the shape or profile or contourof the mirror housing. Plastic mirror housings tend to warp inward atthe top and bottom regions. However, the attachment plate configurationand interface of the present invention functions to urge against andspread the walls of the mirror housing reliably regardless of anywarping of the housing that may occur during or after molding of themirror housing or casing. As shown in FIGS. 24-26, the attachment plate420 includes a peripheral flange 420 a that provides a substantiallyuniform surface that is pressed or urged against the inner surface ofthe mirror casing or housing when the attachment plate is disposed in orpressed into the mirror casing or housing.

Thus, the attachment plate and peripheral flange thereof provides asubstantially uniform surface around the perimeter of the attachmentplate, and that substantially uniform surface engages and is urgedagainst the inner surface of the mirror casing or housing to achieve atight housing fit, with no looseness or gaps between the periphery ofthe attachment plate or flange and the walls of the mirror housing. Theflushness of the housing may be tuned by adjusting the process offorming and attaching the attachment plate to achieve a different size.The length and height of the mirror head thus can be tuned together (notindependently) to achieve the desired fit. As shown in FIG. 27, certainareas of the attachment plate, such as where cutouts may be desired orrequired, may be strengthened to enhance the strength and rigidity ofthe attachment plate to limit or substantially preclude looseness.

Optionally, and with reference to FIGS. 29-31, an electro-opticframeless mirror reflective element 412′ may have an attachment plate orbackplate 420′ that has a perimeter portion 421′ that protrudes betweenthe periphery of the mirror reflective element and the mirror casing orhousing 414′ and that has a radiused or rounded perimeter edge 421 a′ sothat the perimeter edge of the attachment plate protrusion is exposed toand viewable by the driver of the vehicle (when the mirror assembly isnormally mounted in the vehicle and the driver is normally operating ordriving the vehicle). As shown in FIG. 31, the attachment plateprotrusion 421 a′ is formed to overlap or encompass the perimeter edgeregion of the reflective element, which is attached at the attachmentplate 420′ via a layer of adhesive or tape 422′ or the like. Thereflective element may include a perimeter band 424′ that is disposedabout the periphery of the rear surface of the front substrate to hidethe perimeter seal of the reflective element from view by a personviewing the mirror. In the illustrated embodiment, the radiused outersurface or portion 421 a′ of the attachment plate protrusion 421′provides a radius of curvature of about 2.6 mm or thereabouts, and mayprovide a generally smooth or continuous transition between the frontsurface of the reflective element and the outer surface of the mirrorhousing or casing at the rear portion of the attachment plateprotrusion. Thus, the attachment plate creates a 2.6 mm radius ofcurvature surface or bezel portion around the edge of the glasssubstrate of the mirror reflective element.

The attachment plate and mirror construction of the present inventionthus provides a rounded or curved or radiused outer perimeter region ofthe mirror assembly, while providing a greater usable reflective area.For example, for a mirror reflective element having a width of about243.9 mm and a height of about 63 mm, the usable reflective area (thearea of the front surface of the glass substrate that is flat or notbeveled or radiused) may have a width of about 238.7 mm and a height ofabout 57.8 mm, and the dimming area (the area inside the reflectiveperimeter band) may have a width of about 227 mm and a height of about48.5 mm. In comparison, the reflective element of the mirror assembly ofFIGS. 22-24 may have the same overall size but may have a usablereflective area of only about 238.4 mm wide and about 57.5 mm high (dueto the radiused perimeter edge region of the front substrate).

Optionally, and as shown in FIG. 32, the protrusion may comprise aseparate frame portion or part (separate from the attachment plate) thatcircumscribes the reflective element and provides a zero gap, line toline fit around the reflective element, and that blocks in the snaprecess areas. The frame protrusion (at a peripheral portion of theattachment plate) may be adhered to the rear surface of the rearsubstrate, such as via an adhesive layer having a thickness or bondlinethickness of about 0.1 mm or thereabouts. The frame protrusion maycomprise a silicone or TPE frame element around the reflective element(and around the attachment plate). The frame protrusion or element mayhave a material hardness of a durometer 60-70 Shore A or thereabouts.

Optionally, and such as discussed above with respect to FIGS. 20-25, thereflective element may have the outer perimeter edge region of its glasssubstrate (such as the front substrate of an electro-optic reflectiveelement or the glass substrate of a prismatic reflective element ornon-electro-optic reflective element) rounded or curved or radiused sothat the radiused glass is exposed to and viewable by the driver of thevehicle. Optionally, the radiused glass perimeter edge region may bepolished to provide a smooth water-clear surface at the perimeter edgeof the glass substrate, with the perimeter band disposed behind theradiused portion to hide the perimeter seal and provide a reflectivearea at the perimeter seal and outboard thereof. In such aconfiguration, when the electro-optic reflective element is dimmed (suchas in response to a glare sensor or the like), the region at theperimeter band and radiused perimeter is not dimmed, and there may besome glare at the outer perimeter regions of the reflective element.

Optionally, the radiused glass perimeter edge region may be frosted ornon-water-clear to provide a frosted or non-smooth appearance around theperiphery of the mirror reflective element. When the electro-opticreflective element is dimmed, the frosted or non-polished radiusedperimeter edge region limits glare at the surface of the mirrorreflective element, thereby providing enhanced appearance of the mirrorreflective element when the element is dimmed.

With a smooth, polished radiused perimeter edge region, any contaminantsthat may be disposed at the radiused edge may usually be readily wipedclean from the polished surface, such as in a similar manner as theywould be from the planar polished front surface of the glass substrate.However, a frosted or non-polished perimeter surface may be more proneto collecting contaminants and may resist easy cleanup of suchcontaminants. Thus, the present invention provides for such frosting ornon-polishing to a degree that provides the desired reduction in glarewhile limiting resistance to clean up of contaminants therefrom.

The frosting finish may be achieved on the rough ground edge via anysuitable means, such as via chemical etching, finer grinding orpolishing or the like. Optionally, and desirably, the radiused edge anddesired finish is achieved via a rough grind, followed by a fine grindand then a seaming process, using selected grit sizes for each process,in order to provide desired frosting, but not so much that fingerprintsare problematic. For example, a rough grind may first be done with agrinding wheel comprising about a 225/270 mesh (which means that thewheel has a range of 225-270 mesh diamonds bonded to it, with the lowerthe mesh size the rougher the wheel), followed by a fine grind with agrinding wheel about a 500/600 mesh and a seaming process with a wheelhaving about a 325/400 mesh (while a smooth water-clear surface may beachieved by similar wheels and grinding processes, but with anadditional clay polishing wheel to finish or polish the surface). Thus,and as can be seen with reference to FIGS. 33 and 34, the frosted edgesurface (FIG. 33) is rougher than the polished edge surface (FIG. 34),thus reducing or limiting glare off of the frosted surface.

When using the preferred grinding process, the frosted perimeter edgehas the desired degree of frosting or roughness, while providing thedesired ease of cleanup of the frosted edge. For example, and withreference to FIG. 35, the frosted perimeter edge was contaminated withvarious materials, including, for example, ARMOR ALL®, car grease, oilor grease from french fries, barbeque sauce, taco sauce, pizza grease,hand lotion and sun screen. After just a dry wipe with a cloth (FIG.36), the visibility of the contaminants was reduced, and after a wipewith water and cloth (FIG. 37), more of the contaminants were removed.More particularly, testing resulted in the sun screen, hand lotion,barbeque sauce and taco sauce were wiped completely off with the waterand cloth wipe, but there was still some residue of the pizza grease,car grease, ARMOR ALL® and fries. A glass cleaner wipe was thenperformed and there was still some residue but less than after the waterand cloth wipe (the amount of residue was not readily noticeable ordiscernible unless looking for it and only at certain angles). Theremaining residue was then wiped with isopropyl alcohol, which resultedin the frosted radiused edge being returned to its original cleanfinish, with no residue remaining thereon.

As discussed above, the mirror assembly may comprise an electro-optic orelectrochromic mirror assembly that includes an electro-optic orelectrochromic reflective element. The perimeter edges of the reflectiveelement may be encased or encompassed by the perimeter element orportion of the bezel portion to conceal and contain and envelop theperimeter edges of the substrates and the perimeter seal disposedtherebetween. The electrochromic mirror element of the electrochromicmirror assembly may utilize the principles disclosed in commonlyassigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,274,501; 7,255,451; 7,195,381; 7,184,190;6,690,268; 5,140,455; 5,151,816; 6,178,034; 6,154,306; 6,002,544;5,567,360; 5,525,264; 5,610,756; 5,406,414; 5,253,109; 5,076,673;5,073,012; 5,117,346; 5,724,187; 5,668,663; 5,910,854; 5,142,407 and/or4,712,879, and/or PCT Application No. PCT/US2010/029173, filed Mar. 30,2010, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties, and/or as disclosed in the following publications: N. R.Lynam, “Electrochromic Automotive Day/Night Mirrors”, SAE TechnicalPaper Series 870636 (1987); N. R. Lynam, “Smart Windows forAutomobiles”, SAE Technical Paper Series 900419 (1990); N. R. Lynam andA. Agrawal, “Automotive Applications of Chromogenic Materials”, LargeArea Chromogenics: Materials and Devices for Transmittance Control, C.M. Lampert and C. G. Granquist, EDS., Optical Engineering Press, Wash.(1990), which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in theirentireties; and/or as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,195,381, which ishereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Although shown as an electrochromic mirror application, it is envisionedthat the mirror assembly may comprise a prismatic reflective element,while remaining within the spirit and scope of the present invention.The prismatic mirror assembly may be mounted or attached at an interiorportion of a vehicle (such as at an interior surface of a vehiclewindshield) via the mounting means described above, and the reflectiveelement may be toggled or flipped or adjusted between its daytimereflectivity position and its nighttime reflectivity position via anysuitable toggle means, such as by utilizing aspects of the mirrorassemblies described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,318,870 and/or 7,249,860,and/or U.S. Publication No. US-2010-0085653, published Apr. 8, 2010,which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.Optionally, for example, the interior rearview mirror assembly maycomprise a prismatic mirror assembly, such as the types described inU.S. Pat. Nos. 7,289,037; 7,249,860; 6,318,870; 6,598,980; 5,327,288;4,948,242; 4,826,289; 4,436,371 and 4,435,042, which are herebyincorporated herein by reference in their entireties. Optionally, theprismatic reflective element may comprise a conventional prismaticreflective element or prism or may comprise a prismatic reflectiveelement of the types described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,420,756; 7,289,037;7,274,501; 7,249,860; 7,338,177 and/or 7,255,451, which are all herebyincorporated herein by reference in their entireties, without affectingthe scope of the present invention. A variety of mirror accessories andconstructions are known in the art, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat.Nos. 5,555,136; 5,582,383; 5,680,263; 5,984,482; 6,227,675; 6,229,319and 6,315,421 (which are hereby incorporated herein by reference intheir entireties), that can benefit from the present invention.

Optionally, the reflective element may include an opaque orsubstantially opaque or hiding perimeter layer or coating or banddisposed around a perimeter edge region of the front substrate (such asat a perimeter region of the rear or second surface of the frontsubstrate) to conceal or hide or the perimeter seal from viewing by thedriver of the vehicle when the mirror assembly is normally mounted inthe vehicle. Such a hiding layer or perimeter band may be reflective ornot reflective and may utilize aspects of the perimeter bands and mirrorassemblies described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,066,112; 7,626,749; 7,274,501;7,184,190 and/or 7,255,451, and/or International Publication Nos. WO2010/124064 and/or WO 2011/044312, and/or U.S. Pat. Pub. No.US-2006-0061008, which are all hereby incorporated herein by referencein their entireties. Optionally, the perimeter band may comprise achrome/chromium coating or metallic coating and/or may comprise achrome/chromium or metallic coating that has a reduced reflectance, suchas by using an oxidized chrome coating or chromium oxide coating or“black chrome” coating or the like (such as by utilizing aspects of themirror assemblies described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,184,190 and/or7,255,451, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties). Optionally, other opaque or substantially opaque coatingsor bands may be implemented while remaining within the spirit and scopeof the present invention.

Optionally, the interior rearview mirror assembly may include circuitrytherein (such as at a printed circuit board or the like disposed withinthe mirror casing, and electrical connection to the circuitry may bemade via an electrical lead or connector of a wiring harness of thevehicle. Optionally, the electrical connector may be received throughthe mirror casing and through an aperture established through the toggleelement, such as by utilizing aspects of the mirror assemblies describedin U.S. Pat. No. 5,798,688 and/or U.S. Publication No. US-2010-0085653,published Apr. 8, 2010, which are hereby incorporated herein byreference in their entireties.

The mirror assembly may include user actuatable inputs operable tocontrol any of the accessories of or associated with the mirror assemblyand/or an accessory module or the like. For example, the mirror assemblymay include touch sensitive elements or touch sensors or proximitysensors, such as the types of touch sensitive elements described in U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,594,222; 6,001,486; 6,310,611; 6,320,282; 6,627,918;7,224,324 and/or 7,253,723, and/or International Publication Nos. WO2012/051500 and/or WO 2013/071070, which are hereby incorporated hereinby reference in their entireties, or such as proximity sensors of thetypes described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,224,324; 7,249,860 and/or 7,446,924,and/or International Publication No. WO 2004/058540, which are herebyincorporated herein by reference in their entireties, or such asmembrane type switches, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,360,932,which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, orsuch as detectors and the like, such as the types disclosed in U.S. Pat.Nos. 7,255,541; 6,504,531; 6,501,465; 6,492,980; 6,452,479; 6,437,258and 6,369,804, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference intheir entireties, and/or the like, while remaining within the spirit andscope of the present invention.

Optionally, the user inputs or buttons may comprise user inputs for agarage door opening system, such as a vehicle based garage door openingsystem of the types described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,396,408; 6,362,771;7,023,322 and/or 5,798,688, which are hereby incorporated herein byreference in their entireties. Optionally, the user inputs may also orotherwise comprise user inputs for a telematics system of the vehicle,such as, for example, an ONSTAR® system as found in General Motorsvehicles and/or such as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,862,594;4,937,945; 5,131,154; 5,255,442; 5,632,092; 5,798,688; 5,971,552;5,924,212; 6,243,003; 6,278,377; 6,420,975; 6,477,464; 6,946,978;7,308,341; 7,167,796; 7,004,593; 7,657,052 and/or 6,678,614, and/or U.S.Pat. Pub. No. US-2006-0050018, which are all hereby incorporated hereinby reference in their entireties.

Optionally, the mirror assembly may include one or more other displays,such as the types disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,530,240 and/or6,329,925, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties, and/or display-on-demand transflective type displays, and/orvideo displays or display screens, such as the types disclosed in U.S.Pat. Nos. 7,855,755; 7,338,177; 7,274,501; 7,255,451; 7,195,381;7,184,190; 7,046,448; 5,668,663; 5,724,187; 5,530,240; 6,329,925;6,690,268; 7,734,392; 7,370,983; 6,902,284; 6,428,172; 6,420,975;5,416,313; 5,285,060; 5,193,029 and/or 4,793,690, and/or in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/023,750, filed Feb. 9, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No.8,890,955; and/or Ser. No. 09/585,379, filed Jun. 1, 2000, nowabandoned; and/or U.S. Pat. Pub. Nos. US-2003-0007261; US-2006-0061008;US-2006-0050018; US-2009-0015736; US-2009-0015736 and/orUS-2010-0097469, and/or PCT Application No. PCT/US10/47256, filed Aug.31, 2010, which are all hereby incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties.

The video display screen may be controlled or operable in response to aninput or signal, such as a signal received from one or more cameras orimage sensors of the vehicle, such as a video camera or sensor, such asa CMOS imaging array sensor, a CCD sensor or the like, and imageprocessors or image processing techniques, such as utilizing aspects ofthe cameras and image processors described U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,550,677;5,670,935; 5,760,962; 6,498,620; 6,396,397; 6,222,447; 6,201,642;6,097,023; 5,877,897; 5,796,094; 5,715,093; 6,922,292; 6,757,109;6,717,610; 6,590,719; 6,320,176; 6,559,435; 6,831,261; 6,806,452;6,822,563; 6,946,978; 7,038,577; 7,004,606 and/or 7,720,580, and/or U.S.Pat. Pub. Nos. US-2006-0171704; US-2009-0244361 and/or US-2010-0214791,and/or International Publication Nos. WO 2009/046268 and/or WO2009/036176, which are all hereby incorporated herein by reference intheir entireties, or from one or more imaging systems of the vehicle,such as a reverse or backup aid system, such as a rearwardly directedvehicle vision system utilizing principles disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,550,677; 5,760,962; 5,670,935; 6,201,642; 6,396,397; 6,498,620;6,717,610 and/or 6,757,109, which are hereby incorporated herein byreference in their entireties, a trailer hitching aid or tow checksystem, such as the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,005,974, which ishereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, a cabin viewingor monitoring device or system, such as a baby viewing or rear seatviewing camera or device or system or the like, such as disclosed inU.S. Pat. Nos. 5,877,897 and/or 6,690,268, which are hereby incorporatedherein by reference in their entireties, a video communication device orsystem, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,690,268, which is herebyincorporated herein by reference in its entirety, and/or the like. Theimaging sensor or camera may be activated and the display screen may beactivated in response to the vehicle shifting into reverse, such thatthe display screen is viewable by the driver and is displaying an imageof the rearward scene while the driver is reversing the vehicle. It isenvisioned that an image processor or controller (such as an EyeQ™ imageprocessing chip available from Mobileye Vision Technologies Ltd. ofJerusalem, Israel, and such as an image processor of the types describedin International Pub. No. WO/2010/099416, which is hereby incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety) may process image data captured bythe rearward facing camera to assess glare lighting conditions (such asto detect headlights of following vehicles that may cause glare at theinterior and/or exterior rearview mirror assemblies of the equippedvehicle), and the controller may adjust or control the dimming of theelectro-optic mirror assembly or assemblies of the equipped vehicleresponsive to such image processing.

Optionally, the mirror assembly may include one or more otheraccessories at or within the mirror casing, such as one or moreelectrical or electronic devices or accessories, such as antennas,including global positioning system (GPS) or cellular phone antennas,such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,552, a communication module,such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,798,688, a blind spot detectionsystem, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,929,786 and/or 5,786,772,transmitters and/or receivers, such as a garage door opener or the like,a digital network, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,798,575, ahigh/low headlamp controller, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,796,094 and/or 5,715,093, a memory mirror system, such as disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 5,796,176, a hands-free phone attachment, a video devicefor internal cabin surveillance and/or video telephone function, such asdisclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,760,962 and/or 5,877,897, a remote keylessentry receiver, lights, such as map reading lights or one or more otherlights or illumination sources, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.6,690,268; 5,938,321; 5,813,745; 5,820,245; 5,673,994; 5,649,756;5,178,448; 5,671,996; 4,646,210; 4,733,336; 4,807,096; 6,042,253;5,669,698; 7,195,381; 6,971,775 and/or 7,249,860, microphones, such asdisclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,657,052; 6,243,003; 6,278,377 and/or6,420,975, speakers, antennas, including global positioning system (GPS)or cellular phone antennas, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,971,552, a communication module, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,798,688, a voice recorder, a blind spot detection system, such asdisclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,720,580; 7,038,577; 6,882,287; 5,929,786and/or 5,786,772, transmitters and/or receivers, such as for a garagedoor opener or a vehicle door unlocking system or the like (such as aremote keyless entry system), a digital network, such as described inU.S. Pat. No. 5,798,575, a high/low headlamp controller, such as acamera-based headlamp control, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,796,094 and/or 5,715,093, a memory mirror system, such as disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 5,796,176, a hands-free phone attachment, an imagingsystem or components or circuitry or display thereof, such as an imagingand/or display system of the types described in U.S. Pat. Nos.7,400,435; 7,526,103; 6,690,268 and/or 6,847,487, and/or U.S. Pat. Pub.No. US-2006-0125919, a video device for internal cabin surveillance(such as for sleep detection or driver drowsiness detection or the like)and/or video telephone function, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,760,962 and/or 5,877,897, a remote keyless entry receiver, a seatoccupancy detector, a remote starter control, a yaw sensor, a clock, acarbon monoxide detector, status displays, such as displays that displaya status of a door of the vehicle, a transmission selection (4 wd/2 wdor traction control (TCS) or the like), an antilock braking system, aroad condition (that may warn the driver of icy road conditions) and/orthe like, a trip computer, a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)receiver (such as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,124,647; 6,294,989;6,445,287; 6,472,979; 6,731,205 and/or 7,423,522, and/or an ONSTAR®system, a compass, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,924,212;4,862,594; 4,937,945; 5,131,154; 5,255,442 and/or 5,632,092, and/or anyother accessory or circuitry or the like (with all of theabove-referenced patents and publications being commonly assigned andbeing hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties).

Optionally, the mirror assembly may include other electrically operatedor powered accessories, such as a compass sensor and compass display.The user inputs may also or otherwise function to activate anddeactivate a display or function or accessory, and/or mayactivate/deactivate and/or commence a calibration of a compass system ofthe mirror assembly and/or vehicle. The compass system may includecompass sensors and circuitry within the mirror assembly or within acompass pod or module at or near or associated with the mirror assembly.Such a compass sensor and circuitry for the compass system that detectsand displays the vehicle directional heading to a driver of the vehiclemay comprise any suitable compass sensor and/or circuitry, such as acompass system and compass circuitry that utilizes aspects of thecompass systems described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,370,983; 7,329,013;7,289,037; 7,249,860; 7,004,593; 6,928,366; 6,642,851; 6,140,933;4,546,551; 4,862,594; 4,937,945; 5,699,044; 4,953,305; 5,131,154;5,255,442; 5,576,687; 5,632,092; 5,677,851; 5,708,410; 5,737,226;5,802,727; 5,878,370; 5,924,212; 6,087,953; 6,173,508; 6,222,460 and/or6,513,252, and/or European patent application, published Oct. 11, 2000under Publication No. EP 0 1043566, and/or U.S. Pat. Pub. No.US-2006-0061008, which are all hereby incorporated herein by referencein their entireties. The compass circuitry may include compass sensors,such as a magneto-responsive sensor, such as a magneto-resistive sensor,a magneto-capacitive sensor, a Hall sensor, a magneto-inductive sensor,a flux-gate sensor or the like. Optionally, an integrated automotive“compass-on-a-chip” may be disposed in a cavity of the mounting base ofthe mirror (or within the mirror housing or in an attachment to themirror mount or elsewhere within the mirror assembly such as to the rearof the video screen or to the rear of the mirror reflective element) andmay comprise at least two sensor elements (such as magneto-responsivesensor elements, or a Hall effect sensor or multiple Hall effectsensors), associated A/D and D/A converters, associatedmicroprocessor(s) and memory, associated signal processing andfiltering, associated display driver and associated LIN/CAN BUSinterface and the like, all (or a sub-set thereof) created or disposedor commonly established onto a semiconductor chip surface/substrate orsilicon substrate, such as utilizing CMOS technology and/or fabricationtechniques as known in the semiconductor manufacturing arts, andconstituting an application specific integrated chip (“ASIC”), such asutilizing principles described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,815,326; 7,004,593;7,329,013 and/or 7,370,983, and/or U.S. Pat. Pub. No. US-2006-0061008,which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties,and/or such as by utilizing aspects of an EC driver-on-a-chip such asdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,480,149, which is hereby incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

The mirror assembly may comprise or utilize aspects of other types ofcasings or the like, such as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,338,177;7,289,037; 7,249,860; 6,439,755; 4,826,289 and 6,501,387, which are allhereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties, withoutaffecting the scope of the present invention. For example, the mirrorassembly may utilize aspects of the flush or frameless or bezellessreflective elements described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,626,749; 7,360,932;7,289,037; 7,255,451; 7,274,501 and/or 7,184,190, and/or in U.S. Pat.Pub. Nos. US-2006-0061008 and/or US-2006-0050018, which are all herebyincorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

Optionally, the mirror assembly may comprise a modular mirrorconstruction, and may include back housing portions or the like, such ascap portions of the types described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,289,037, which ishereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. A displayscreen may be provided as a modular display screen and may be mountableor installable in the appropriate or suitable mirror casing to provide amodular mirror assembly and display screen. For example, a rear casingor cap portion may include the display screen module including theassociated components, such as the rails and motor and the like for avideo slideout module (such as by utilizing aspects of the video mirrorsdescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,370,983 and 6,690,268, and/or U.S. Pat.Pub. Nos. US-2006-0050018 and/or US-2009-0015736, which are herebyincorporated herein by reference in their entireties), and may beattachable to a reflective element and/or mirror casing to assemble themodular mirror assembly. The display screen module thus may be providedas an optional component or accessory for a vehicle, and may be readilyassembled to a common reflective element and/or mirror casing of themirror assembly.

Optionally, the mirror casing and/or reflective element may includecustomized or personalized viewable characteristics, such as color orsymbols or indicia selected by the vehicle manufacturer or owner of thevehicle, such as the customization characteristics described in U.S.Pat. Nos. 7,626,749; 7,255,451; 7,289,037, which are hereby incorporatedherein by reference in their entireties.

Optionally, the mirror assembly and/or any associated user inputs may beassociated with various accessories or systems, such as, for example, atire pressure monitoring system or a passenger air bag status or agarage door opening system or a telematics system or any other accessoryor system of the mirror assembly or of the vehicle or of an accessorymodule or console of the vehicle, such as an accessory module or consoleof the types described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,289,037; 6,877,888;6,824,281; 6,690,268; 6,672,744; 6,386,742 and/or 6,124,886, and/or U.S.Pat. Pub. No. US-2006-0050018, which are hereby incorporated herein byreference in their entireties.

Optionally, the mirror assembly (such as at the mounting base, which maybe fixed relative to the vehicle windshield) may include an imagingsensor (such as a forward facing imaging sensor or camera that has aforward field of view through the vehicle windshield) that may be partof or may provide an image output for a vehicle vision system, such as aheadlamp control system or lane departure warning system or objectdetection system or other vehicle vision system or the like, and mayutilize aspects of various imaging sensors or imaging array sensors orcameras or the like, such as a CMOS imaging array sensor, a CCD sensoror other sensors or the like, such as the types described in U.S. Pat.Nos. 5,550,677; 5,877,897; 6,498,620; 5,670,935; 5,796,094; 6,396,397;6,806,452; 6,690,268; 7,005,974; 7,937,667; 7,123,168; 7,004,606;6,946,978; 7,038,577; 6,353,392; 6,320,176; 6,313,454 and 6,824,281which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

Optionally, the accessory or accessories, such as those described above,may be positioned at or within the mirror casing and/or mirror capportion or the like, and may be included on or integrated in a printedcircuit board positioned within the mirror casing and/or cap portion,such as along a rear surface of the reflective element or elsewherewithin a cavity defined by the casing, without affecting the scope ofthe present invention. The user actuatable inputs and/or touch sensorsand/or proximity sensors and displays described above may be actuatableto control and/or adjust the accessories of the mirror assembly/systemand/or overhead console and/or accessory module and/or vehicle. Theconnection or link between the controls and the display screen deviceand/or the navigation system and/or other systems and accessories of themirror system may be provided via vehicle electronic or communicationsystems and the like, and may be connected via various protocols ornodes, such as BLUETOOTH®, SCP, UBP, J1850, CAN J2284, Fire Wire 1394,MOST, LIN, FlexRay™, Byte Flight and/or the like, or other vehicle-basedor in-vehicle communication links or systems (such as WIFI and/or IRDA)and/or the like, or via VHF or UHF or other wireless transmissionformats, depending on the particular application of the mirror/accessorysystem and the vehicle. Optionally, the connections or links may beprovided via various wireless connectivity or links, without affectingthe scope of the present invention.

Changes and modifications in the specifically described embodiments maybe carried out without departing from the principles of the presentinvention, which is intended to be limited only by the scope of theappended claims as interpreted according to the principles of patentlaw.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle,said rearview mirror assembly comprising: a mirror casing; a mirrorreflective element disposed at said mirror casing; said mirrorreflective element comprising at least a first glass substrate; whereinsaid first glass substrate has a front surface and a rear surface, andwherein, when said rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted in avehicle, said front surface is closer than said rear surface to a driverthat is normally operating the vehicle; said first glass substratehaving a flat central region and a rounded perimeter edge; wherein saidrounded perimeter edge is exposed to and is viewable by the driver ofthe vehicle; wherein, with said mirror reflective element disposed atsaid mirror casing, no portion of said mirror casing encompasses saidrounded perimeter edge; and wherein said rounded perimeter edge has aglare-reducing surface finish.
 2. The rearview mirror assembly of claim1, wherein said mirror reflective element comprises an electro-opticmirror reflective element assembly comprising said first glass substrateand a second glass substrate, and wherein said rear surface of saidfirst glass substrate has a transparent conductive coating establishedthereat, and wherein said second glass substrate has a mirror reflectordisposed at a surface thereof, and wherein an electro-optic medium issandwiched between and contacts said transparent conductive coating ofsaid first glass substrate and said mirror reflector of said secondglass substrate, and wherein said electro-optic medium is bounded by aperimeter seal.
 3. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 2, wherein afirst electrical connector is in electrically conductive continuity withsaid transparent conductive coating at said rear surface of said firstglass substrate, and wherein a second electrical connector is inelectrically conductive continuity with said mirror reflector at saidsecond glass substrate.
 4. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 1,wherein a circuit element is disposed in said mirror casing, and whereinsaid circuit element comprises a generally planar element and supportscircuitry thereon, and wherein a plane of said circuit element isnon-parallel to a plane of said rear surface of said first glasssubstrate.
 5. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein saidglare-reducing surface finish is established via a chemical etching. 6.The rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein said glare-reducingsurface finish is established via glass grinding.
 7. The rearview mirrorassembly of claim 1, wherein said mirror reflective element comprises aprismatic mirror reflective element.
 8. A rearview mirror assembly for avehicle, said rearview mirror assembly comprising: a mirror casing; amirror reflective element disposed at said mirror casing; said mirrorreflective element comprising at least a first glass substrate; whereinsaid first glass substrate has a front surface and a rear surface, andwherein, when said rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted in avehicle, said front surface is closer than said rear surface to a driverthat is normally operating the vehicle; said first glass substratehaving a flat central region and a rounded perimeter edge; wherein saidrounded perimeter edge is exposed to and is viewable by the driver ofthe vehicle; wherein, with said mirror reflective element disposed atsaid mirror casing, no portion of said mirror casing encompasses saidrounded perimeter edge; wherein said rounded perimeter edge has aglare-reducing surface finish; wherein said mirror reflective elementcomprises an electro-optic mirror reflective element assembly comprisingsaid first glass substrate and a second glass substrate, and whereinsaid rear surface of said first glass substrate has a transparentconductive coating established thereat, and wherein said second glasssubstrate has a mirror reflector disposed at a surface thereof, andwherein an electro-optic medium is sandwiched between and contacts saidtransparent conductive coating of said first glass substrate and saidmirror reflector of said second glass substrate, and wherein saidelectro-optic medium is bounded by a perimeter seal; wherein a firstelectrical connector is in electrically conductive continuity with saidtransparent conductive coating at said rear surface of said first glasssubstrate, and wherein a second electrical connector is in electricallyconductive continuity with said mirror reflector at said second glasssubstrate; and wherein said first electrical connector comprises (i) aconnector attaching portion for attaching said first electricalconnector at said electro-optic mirror reflective element assembly and(ii) a conductor attaching portion for soldering or welding anelectrical conductor to said electrical connector, and wherein saidconductor attaching portion is spaced from the plane of said connectorattaching portion, and wherein an electrical conductor is electricallyconnected between said first electrical connector and reflectancecontrol circuitry that is operable to vary the reflectance of saidelectro-optic reflective element assembly.
 9. The rearview mirrorassembly of claim 8, wherein said first electrical connector comprises atransition portion between said conductor attaching portion and saidconnector attaching portion.
 10. The rearview mirror assembly of claim9, wherein a plurality of apertures are formed through said transitionportion to enhance air flow.
 11. The rearview mirror assembly of claim8, wherein said first electrical conductor comprises an electricallyconducting wire and wherein said electrical connector includes a wireretaining portion that is disposed at a perimeter region of saidconductor attaching portion and that protrudes outwardly therefrom, andwherein said wire retaining portion is configured to at least partiallyretain said electrically conducting wire at said conductor attachingportion during the soldering or welding process.
 12. A rearview mirrorassembly for a vehicle, said rearview mirror assembly comprising: amirror casing; a mirror reflective element disposed at said mirrorcasing; said mirror reflective element comprising at least a first glasssubstrate; wherein said first glass substrate has a front surface and arear surface, and wherein, when said rearview mirror assembly isnormally mounted in a vehicle, said front surface is closer than saidrear surface to a driver that is normally operating the vehicle; saidfirst glass substrate having a flat central region and a roundedperimeter edge; wherein said rounded perimeter edge is exposed to and isviewable by the driver of the vehicle; wherein, with said mirrorreflective element disposed at said mirror casing, no portion of saidmirror casing encompasses said rounded perimeter edge; wherein saidrounded perimeter edge has a glare-reducing surface finish; wherein saidmirror reflective element comprises an electro-optic mirror reflectiveelement assembly comprising said first glass substrate and a secondglass substrate, and wherein said rear surface of said first glasssubstrate has a transparent conductive coating established thereat, andwherein said second glass substrate has a mirror reflector disposed at asurface thereof, and wherein an electro-optic medium is sandwichedbetween and contacts said transparent conductive coating of said firstglass substrate and said mirror reflector of said second glasssubstrate, and wherein said electro-optic medium is bounded by aperimeter seal; wherein a first electrical connector is in electricallyconductive continuity with said transparent conductive coating at saidrear surface of said first glass substrate, and wherein a secondelectrical connector is in electrically conductive continuity with saidmirror reflector at said second glass substrate; and wherein said secondelectrical connector comprises (i) a connector attaching portion forattaching said second electrical connector at said electro-optic mirrorreflective element assembly and (ii) a conductor attaching portion forsoldering or welding an electrical conductor to said electricalconnector, and wherein said conductor attaching portion is spaced fromthe plane of said connector attaching portion, and wherein an electricalconductor is electrically connected between said first electricalconnector and reflectance control circuitry that is operable to vary thereflectance of said electro-optic reflective element assembly.
 13. Therearview mirror assembly of claim 12, wherein said second electricalconnector comprises a transition portion between said conductorattaching portion and said connector attaching portion.
 14. The rearviewmirror assembly of claim 13, wherein a plurality of apertures are formedthrough said transition portion to enhance air flow.
 15. The rearviewmirror assembly of claim 12, wherein said second electrical conductorcomprises an electrically conducting wire and wherein said electricalconnector includes a wire retaining portion that is disposed at aperimeter region of said conductor attaching portion and that protrudesoutwardly therefrom, and wherein said wire retaining portion isconfigured to at least partially retain said electrically conductingwire at said conductor attaching portion during the soldering or weldingprocess.
 16. A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle, said rearviewmirror assembly comprising: a mirror casing; a mirror reflective elementdisposed at said mirror casing; said mirror reflective elementcomprising an electro-optic mirror reflective element assemblycomprising said first glass substrate and a second glass substrate;wherein said first glass substrate has a front surface and a rearsurface, and wherein, when said rearview mirror assembly is normallymounted in a vehicle, said front surface is closer than said rearsurface to a driver that is normally operating the vehicle; said firstglass substrate having a flat central region and a rounded perimeteredge; wherein said rounded perimeter edge is exposed to and is viewableby the driver of the vehicle; wherein, with said mirror reflectiveelement disposed at said mirror casing, no portion of said mirror casingencompasses said rounded perimeter edge; wherein said rear surface ofsaid first glass substrate has a transparent conductive coatingestablished thereat, and wherein said second glass substrate has amirror reflector disposed at a surface thereof, and wherein anelectro-optic medium is sandwiched between and contacts said transparentconductive coating of said first glass substrate and said mirrorreflector of said second glass substrate, and wherein said electro-opticmedium is bounded by a perimeter seal; wherein a first electricalconnector is in electrically conductive continuity with said transparentconductive coating at said rear surface of said first glass substrate,and wherein a second electrical connector is in electrically conductivecontinuity with said mirror reflector at said second glass substrate;wherein said rounded perimeter edge has a glare-reducing surface finish;and wherein said glare-reducing surface finish is established via atleast one of (i) chemical etching and (ii) glass grinding.
 17. Therearview mirror assembly of claim 16, wherein said glare-reducingsurface finish is established via glass grinding and wherein said glassgrinding comprises at least one of rough grinding and fine grinding. 18.A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle, said rearview mirror assemblycomprising: a mirror casing; a mirror reflective element disposed atsaid mirror casing; wherein said mirror reflective element comprises aprismatic mirror reflective element; said mirror reflective elementcomprising a glass substrate; wherein said glass substrate has a frontsurface and a rear surface, and wherein, when said rearview mirrorassembly is normally mounted in a vehicle, said front surface is closerthan said rear surface to a driver that is normally operating thevehicle; said glass substrate having a flat central region and a roundedperimeter edge; wherein said rounded perimeter edge is exposed to and isviewable by the driver of the vehicle; wherein, with said mirrorreflective element disposed at said mirror casing, no portion of saidmirror casing encompasses said rounded perimeter edge; wherein saidrounded perimeter edge has a glare-reducing surface finish; and whereinsaid glare-reducing surface finish is established via glass grinding andwherein said glass grinding comprises at least one of rough grinding andfine grinding.
 19. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 18, whereinsaid glare-reducing surface finish is established via rough grinding andfine grinding.
 20. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 19, whereinsaid rounded perimeter edge has a radius of around 2.8 mm.